Chicanná

2km/1.3mi further along the MEX 186 highway is a turn off leading to the Chicanná (Mayan: "house of the serpent jaw") archaeological zone, about five minutes' drive from the road. The site comprises several buildings scattered over a wide area. Many of the ornately embellished faáades are either well preserved or recently restored, making Chicanná especially suitable for studying the Río Bec style. The remarkable Structure II, erected between ad 750 and 770, on the east side of the main plaza features a very characteristic monster mask dominating the façade, its open jaws framing the doorway. Equally typically, the entire central façade (i.e. including the lower part right down to the level of the terrace), is decorated with stylised motifs. Note also the stacked masks of the prominently-nosed Rain god Chac on the corners of the temple. Other buildings on the site sport the again typical, purely decorative, lateral towers.